James Chigwell is a blackmailer, a human spider who fattens on the blood of other men - on their misfortunes and on their mistakes. But retribution comes to Chigwell when one of his victims at last rebels against his maliciousness and bludgeons him to death.
But who among Chigwell's final victims has the courage of despair to slay his tormentor?
The Scarlet Button is at once grim and entertaining and, of course, features the celebrated detective Arthur Crook.